The Other British Men

Smethurst eventually lost in the SFs but a career week for him will see him shoot back up into the top 400 after a poor 2013, whist Corrie and Rice edge ever closer to the top 300.

Milton led 6-2 in the final set tie-break only to lose it 7-9. Heart-breaker. Still, like Smethurst, great to see him finding some form again.

Meanwhile in Heraklion Futures we have an all-British final - 20yo Oli Golding takes on 18yo Luke Bambridge (his first final) tomorrow. They're also both in the doubles final, as a pair. 19yo Liam Broady lost to Bambridge in the SFs.

I watched Josh Milton's QF match v Nevolo - gripped until nearly 2am! He led comfortably in the first set, seemed to have run out of energy in the 2nd, tight third set, and into a good lead in the tie-break. Then a horrible missed smash, and finally a double fault. I'd not seen him before, but he was fun, and I really enjoyed the contest between world nos 579 and 580, both trying to reach their first challenger semi-final.

Liked it that the other GB players all came to support Josh after playing each other in the doubles (Corrie & Smethurst will be playing in the final tonight).

I also watched Dan Smethurst's SF match yesterday - some very long games with multiple deuces, lots of break points saved, never gave up. Dan & Josh both came through qualifying, so a great week for them. (Why do so many of the GB players have the same names?!)

The USTA stream gets better and better - more camera angles, replays.....and we even got to see the lovely commentator Mike having a chat with Sam Groth.

Well done to all the guys in Heraklion as well. I had high hopes for Oli after his training with Andy last year, but he seems to have been injured a lot this year - hope all is now sorted and he is fully fit.

I was out, but got back to read these tweets - thanks to BadToss@BadToss

Crazy match pt, but the Brits take it. What a match, and what a Challenger for Smethurst/Corrie.They are SO great. Such wonderful sportsmen. So polite to the crowd, the ball kids. Really impressed with them on and off ct.

In the MTB Smethurst owned up to just nicking a shot with his racquet that the umpire had given to them. Really great sportsmanship.

Meanwhile in Heraklion Oli Golding wins his first title of the year (having been playing through injury all year) and then pairs up with runner-up Luke Bambridge to win the Doubles a well. Will return to the top 500 and a great base to push on in 2014.

9 straights wins for Oli Golding - taking out the 2nd and 3rd seeds in straight sets (the 2nd seed was on an 8 match winning streak without dropping a set) - to make his second successive final in Greece.

Will take on Nikola Cacic (WR654) who took out both Broady (QF) and Willis (SF) this week in the final. A win would take him back to near his CH.

It's great to see him back in form after his operation, having played most of 2013 with a niggling injury.

9 straights wins for Oli Golding - taking out the 2nd and 3rd seeds in straight sets (the 2nd seed was on an 8 match winning streak without dropping a set) - to make his second successive final in Greece.

Will take on Nikola Cacic (WR654) who took out both Broady (QF) and Willis (SF) this week in the final. A win would take him back to near his CH.

It's great to see him back in form after his operation, having played most of 2013 with a niggling injury.

Brilliant - should be some impressive rankings rises over the next couple of weeks! Great to see and hope next year is a good one!

Also from Bob in Spain: The doubles players are there this week. These four train in the mornings and the afternoon group is Jamie Murray, Johnny Marray and Dom Inglot.

It's so great to see Colin & Ross together again, and it will be so exciting to see how they do. Also Jamie & John and Dom & Treat after their good results last year - right up there with the top teams.